KEEPING THE FAITH: An empty tomb is not an empty promise

"The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" aired almost three decades ago this week, and at the time, it was the most watched syndicated television show in history. The charismatic host of the show that evening promised the unveiling of long-kept secrets, the unknotting of historical mystery and priceless artifacts from where Capone once lived. That host was Geraldo Rivera.

Yes, before he had his nose broken on daytime television; before he had fat extracted from his buttocks and shot into his forehead; before he was sent packing from Afghanistan for disclosing the location of U.S. troops; and before that viral shirtless selfie on Twitter, Rivera had long ago revealed how ill-advised some of his decisions could be.

With 30 million people watching to see mysteries solved and questions answered, the vault was opened, revealing nothing -- unless you consider an empty gin bottle to be of historical importance. The opening of Capone's treasures was a story as empty as the vault.

I must confess that Easter can sometimes leave us feeling like Geraldo. On Resurrection Sunday we gather with the sold-out crowd and hear the report of Jesus coming back to life. "He is risen!" we are told, and his resurrection gives "hope for ourselves, for the world, and for the future."

But is this a publicity stunt? How can one man's resurrection centuries ago make any real difference within the scope of eternity? Isn't this a metaphysical fraud used to boost Christianity's ratings? Answering similar objections, the Apostle Paul wrote, "If Christ hasn't been raised, then our faith is worthless."

Unafraid to stand by his words, Paul goes on to say that without Easter, Christianity is a farce; eternal life is a promise built on overhyped lies; God's grace has been misrepresented; and those who adhere to the faith are as pitiful as Geraldo in a warzone (that line is not a quote from Paul, though he might have appreciated it).

Nonetheless, in rising from the dead, Jesus signaled that he will redeem humanity by overcoming all enemies, even death, and return the universe to wholeness. He will bring all of God's creation back to life, making "life worth the living," as the old song goes, "just because he lives." So we confess this hope: "Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" An ambitious confession? Yes, but confession that the tomb is empty is far more than an empty promise.

------

Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of multiple books. In addition to the pastorate, he has been a hospital chaplain, a leader in social justice ministries, and a nationally syndicated columnist. He holds degrees in Christian education and theology, bio-ethics and critical incident stress management. To read more or sign up for regular columns by email, visit www.ronniemcbrayer.me.